Despite you being unfamiliar with Canadian politics, you are very close to describing what goes on here too. I think the story is the same all over the world. Here in Canada, the province controls the land, but there are some federal land too, reserves and national parks. But the federal government also has environmental legislation which a few years ago removed protection from the vast majority of the lakes, streams and ponds in this country. That is in the millions! The current government did not reverse that change. All governments also have a duty to consult with the Indigenous peoples, but that is watered down as they always consult, but there is no duty to listen or give them any weight in the decisions.
Now it is getting easier and easier for industry to push through.
I don't think people realize that the Queen claims the land. It is hers and she can do what ever she wants with it. I disagree with that claim, but that is how government functions.
That is really a dangerous set-up when the Queen claims the land and the people do not realize it. But, I believe, constitutional conventions of democracy is engraved in Canadian political system, in that case, the Crown has the duty to safeguard the rights and freedom of the people. So, the people still have the power to assert these rights, in this case their right to their balanced ecology which they can clearly relate to their basic democratic rights such as their right to life, liberty and property. But, as we all know, in the way how government functions nowadays, they always win the game and make it appear beneficial to the majority of the population. Such a sad story really.